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Cowboys v Wests Tigers: Taumalolo returns; Laurie to six

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Timestamp

The Cowboys have found their mojo with wins over three of last year's finalists in consecutive weeks and now find themselves just two points outside the top eight.

After putting 45 points on the Storm in Round 14 the Cowboys outlasted Penrith in a golden point thriller and then piled on five tries in a 31-6 demolition of the Rabbitohs.

With their back three of Scott Drinkwater, Semi Valemei and Murray Taulagi combining for 575 running metres the Cowboys got on the front foot early and dominated the Rabbitohs, but fresh in coach Todd Payten's mind will be the fact the Tigers embarrassed his men 66-18 at Leichhardt Oval just six weeks ago.

That worst loss in Payten's time at the club saw the Cowboys plummet to 14th on the table but their revival has been impressive and they look to keep the roll going against the Tigers before a bye in Round 19 and a clash with the Sea Eagles in Round 20.

In the absence of key playmakers Luke Brooks and Api Koroisau, the Tigers will turn to David Klemmer and John Bateman for leadership as they look to climb out of the cellar and avoid consecutive wooden spoons.

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Team News

Cowboys: Captain Jason Taumalolo (hamstring) is good to go and joins the bench in place of Jamayne Taunoa-Brown. There are no other late changes, with Blues hooker Reece Robson OK to start after suffering his own hamstring issue last week. Kyle Feldt is the 18th man. 

Wests Tigers: Just one change from the 17 named on Tuesday, which sees Alex Seyfarth come onto the bench and Asu Kepaoa drop back to be the replacement player. Daine Laurie comes in at five-eighth for his first game since Round 4, so Starford To'a moves back to the centres. Young hooker Tallyn Da Silva retains his place with Api Koroisau (jaw) sidelined.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
    Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula
  • Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Semi Valemei
    Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David Nofoaluma
  • Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Valentine Holmes
    Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Brent Naden
  • Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Peta Hiku
    Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Starford To'a
  • Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Murray Taulagi
    Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Junior Tupou
  • Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tom Dearden
    Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Daine Laurie
  • Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Chad Townsend
    Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Brandon Wakeham

Forwards

  • Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Jordan McLean
    Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano  Utoikamanu
  • Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reece Robson
    Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Jake Simpkin
  • Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Coen Hess
    Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 David Klemmer
  • 2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Luciano Leilua
    2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i
  • 2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai
    2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Shawn Blore
  • Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter
    Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 John Bateman

Interchange

  • Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Jake Granville
    Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Tallyn Da Silva
  • Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Griffin Neame
    Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Fonua Pole
  • Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
    Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Alex Twal
  • Interchange for Cowboys is number 18 Jason Taumalolo
    Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 18 Alex Seyfarth

Reserves

  • Replacement for Cowboys is number 19 Kyle Feldt
    Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 17 Asu Kepaoa

Match Officials

  • Referee: Liam Kennedy
  • Touch Judge: Nick Morel
  • Touch Judge: Dave Munro
  • Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Cowboys have the highest missed tackle count (601) in the NRL while the Tigers have missed the least tackes (382).
  • Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater has come up with 16 try assists in 13 games. Brandon Wakeham is the Tigers' best with five.
  • The biggest win in Cowboys history was against the Tigers in Round 22, 2014... 64-6 at 1300SMILES Stadium in Townsville.
  • The Cowboys have won six from eight at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in 2023.
  • Wests Tigers have won three of their past four games in Townsville.
  • The Cowboys have scored 103 points in consecutive wins over the Storm, Panthers and Rabbitohs.
  • Tigers centre Starford To’a has scored four tries in his past four games against the Cowboys.
  • Cowboys centre Valentine Holmes has scored seven tries in 10 games against Wests Tigers.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the 

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Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.